Paradip, June 8: The civil and police administration have undertaken a joint initiative to identify Bangladeshis unlawfully settling in and around the industrial town.

The arrest of two Bangladeshi infiltrators in March has put the local police in a spot and prompted them to intensify vigil on illegal slum settlements that are scattered across the port town.

Bangladeshi citizen Suman Haldar, a native of Jessore in the neighbouring country, was produced before the court on March 28, after the he was intercepted from Mushadiha slum on the outskirts of the port town. Haldar, who was booked under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946, and Passport Act, told interrogating officials that he had crossed the border and reached Paradip in search of a job, said additional superintendent of police Madhabanand Sahu.

On March 17, the Special Task Force (STF) of the state crime branch had nabbed another Bangladeshi, Khoken Seikh (44), from Mushadiha near Iffco fertiliser plant. Seikh was a bona fide citizen of Bangladesh. He hails from Kadapada village in Baghepet police limits of Khulna district of the neighbouring country, said police sources.

Local police and the STF are jointly investigating whether the arrested Bangladeshis had any links with a terror outfit or were involved in any subversive activities.

Both the illegal immigrants had come to Paradip recently and were working on sea fishing farms. Poverty and lack of job opportunities in their native places of Khulna and Jessore forced them to seek greener pastures in India, said investigating officials.

Paradip has been witnessing a massive influx of skilled and unskilled labourers from Bangladesh almost on a daily basis. Employers in private sectors, particularly in marine fishing, have been issued directions to hire people only after thoroughly checking their nationality and antecedents. They have been warned of facing stringent legal action if found to be giving shelter to illegal immigrants, said Sahu.

The police have launched a drive to sensitise residents in localities where illegal immigrants are most likely to settle.

"As both the foreign nationals were intercepted from slums, our focus is on these areas. People have been advised to swiftly inform us if they suspect that someone staying in their locality has suspicious antecedents. We were able to arrest Haldar with the help of local residents," said the official.